Betray Definition & Meaning

betray
verb
  1. reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
  2. deliver to an enemy by treachery; "Judas sold Jesus"; "The spy betrayed his country"
  3. disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake; "His sense of smell failed him this time"; "His strength finally failed him"; "His children failed him in the crisis"
  4. be sexually unfaithful to one's partner in marriage; "She cheats on her husband"; "Might her husband be wandering?"
  5. give away information about somebody; "He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam"
  6. cause someone to believe an untruth; "The insurance company deceived me when they told me they were covering my house"

"Betray" in song lyrics

See how betray is used in real songs:

  • "How could you think to betray"
    Diamonique f/ Dirty Bird, Sly Boogy — Da Get Back
  • "PaChino, thou shall never betray"
    Dom PaChino (P.R. Terrorist) f/ Black Fire — My Right Hand
  • "determination I refuse to betray"
    Toby (of Inverse) f/ Deacon the Villain — Sunshine Blues

Usage tips for "betray"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "betray" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for betray to find words that pair well.

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